PITTSBURGH — A runner who collapsed toward the very end of the 2015 Pittsburgh Marathon was released from an area hospital on Sunday afternoon.
Jeff Whitmore, 25, suffered a cardiac event in the final yards of the marathon that caused him to spend a week at UPMC Mercy Hospital.
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“You could train for marathons, do great in one, two, three, four or five marathons and then for some reason in our marathon, decide to have a problem,” said Pittsburgh Marathon Medical Director Dr. Ronald Roth.
Whitmore and his family said they’re extremely grateful for the first responders who saved his life, the race staff, the UPMC staff and the city of Pittsburgh for their care and concern.
“We had three bystanders on scene jump in right away. I just happened to be on scene and our City of Pittsburgh paramedics arrived on bicycles, cars and by ambulance,” said Roth. “(The Whitmore family) just wants to relay their thanks to the City of Pittsburgh and just want to reinforce that everyone should learn CPR because CPR really saved our runner.”
Hundreds of runners needed medical attention on race day, but officials said Whitmore’s case was the most serious.
Hospital officials said the Washington D.C. runner is expected to make a full recovery.
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WPXI
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